SUMMARY
- Earlier today, the social media platforms were filled with posts about how Lionel Messi was followed by Bayern Munich on Instagram.
- Several Messi supporters even took pride in the Inter-Miami star being the only player to have been followed by Bayern Munich without ever playing for them.
Over the last few hours, the Internet has been flooded with a piece of surprising news about Lionel Messi. While Messi grabbing the headlines is nothing new, being followed by Bayern Munich on Instagram is certainly special. However, did the German giants follow the 2022 World Cup winner on Instagram? Let’s take a look.
Earlier today, the social media platforms were filled with posts about how Lionel Messi was followed by Bayern Munich on Instagram. The screenshots of Bayern Munich’s following were widely shared all over the Internet and amassed millions of views. Several Messi supporters even took pride in the Inter-Miami star being the only player to have been followed by Bayern Munich without ever playing for them.
📲 🇩🇪 Bayern Munich have started following Leo Messi on Instagram
Messi is the only footballer they follow that hasn’t played for them. pic.twitter.com/EdxEZCbjlA
— Barça Worldwide (@BarcaWorldwide) January 9, 2024
On the other hand, some soccer fans have also gone on to discard the news as fake. However, it’s interesting that neither set of fans are completely wrong. Messi was indeed followed by Bayern Munich on Instagram earlier today. While the reason behind it is still not known, it could have been an honest mistake by the Bundesliga giant.
However, if one checks Bayern Munich’s following on Instagram now, they won’t see Lionel Messi’s name on it. The German side has gone on to rectify what could have been a mistake and unfollowed the Argentine skipper on the popular social media platform. Nevertheless, the news was enough to get Lionel Messi trending on the social media platforms for a good few hours.
Bayern Munich has kept Lionel Messi’s shirt in their museum
While Bayern Munich might have followed Lionel Messi on Instagram by mistake, the club has had a special honor bestowed upon the former FC Barcelona in the past. Like all clubs, Bayern Munich has also a museum filled with prestigious memorabilia. However, among all the things kept in the museum, the only non-Bayern Munich memorabilia is none other than Messi’s signed FC Barcelona shirt.
Back in 2012, Lionel Messi broke Bayern Munich legend Gerd Muller’s record of scoring the most goals in a calendar year. The Argentina ace scored a remarkable 91 goals and broke Muller’s record of 85 goals that he had set way back in 1972. Following his feat, Messi decided to send a signed shirt to the former Bayern Munich forward. The message on the shirt read, “For Gerd Müller / My respect and admiration / A hug.”
Reminder: Messi has his own section dedicated to him in Bayern’s museum at Allianz Arena. pic.twitter.com/7YfqKcp6Le
— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) March 8, 2023
The gift also contained a message from the then-FC Barcelona president Sandro Rosell. Rosell explained that the signed jersey was an acknowledgment of Muller’s record and a testament to his legacy. Nevertheless, since then, Messi’s shirt has been eternalized within the four walls of Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena stadium.